Windows 10 will reach end of support (EOS) on October 14, 2025. While two years may seem like a long runway, ensuring a modernized infrastructure will help keep your organization productive and its data secure. We’re encouraged to see organizations realizing the benefits of Windows 11 by upgrading eligible devices to Windows 11 well ahead of the EOS date. Consider joining organizations like Westpac who recently leveraged Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopatch, and App Assure to efficiently move 40,000 employees to Windows 11, while also incorporating new Windows 11 devices as part of a regular hardware refresh cycle.

In this post, learn about the various options you have to smoothly transition to Windows 11, including extended protection for those needing more time.

What does Windows 10 end of support mean?

When Windows 10 reaches end of support, Microsoft will no longer provide bug fixes for issues, security fixes for vulnerabilities, time zone updates, or technical support for problems that might occur.

As noted on the Windows 10 release information page, version 22H2 is the final version of Windows 10. All editions of Windows 10, version 22H2 will remain in support with monthly security updates through October 14, 2025. Note that the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise will continue to receive updates based on their specific lifecycles.

With the EOS for Windows 10 coming in less than two years, now is the time to migrate to a modern OS. Ensure that your organization isn’t left running unsupported software that is no longer receiving security updates. Organizations running legacy software are vulnerable to significant security risk and potential compliance violations.

Your options to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows yet. Its extensive capabilities, including Copilot in Windows, are designed to help keep your organization protected and productive. These measures include built-in advanced encryption, data and credential protection, robust system security and network safety, and intelligent safeguards against evolving threats.

In addition to upgrading eligible PCs to Windows 11 using Windows Autopatch or Microsoft Intune, your options to adopt Windows 11 include:

• Purchase new Windows 11 Pro PCs with all the great security features turned on by default. In addition, suppliers will ship new PCs directly to employees with Windows Autopilot, saving you time from staging them.
• Migrate to the cloud and subscribe to Windows 365 to make Windows 11 available to users on any device with a Cloud PC.

Let’s walk through those in further detail and discuss our upcoming Windows 10 Extended Security Update program for Windows 10.

Refresh ineligible PCs to new Windows 11 eligible devices

Enable workers to get the most secure Windows ever with Windows 11. It’s AI-enhanced and easy to use with a 250% ROI.

Step 1. To get started, understand which devices in your install base are ineligible through Intune or other management tools.

Step 2. For devices that aren’t eligible for Windows 11, or older devices due for a refresh, now is the time to transition to new PCs running Windows 11. New modern devices from partners like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Surface and the rest of the Windows ecosystem offer a wide range of options to suit different worker needs. Explore and purchase new Windows 11 PCs directly from your original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or reseller of choice.

See how Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. is streamlining security management across countries and time zones with new Windows 11 Pro devices. For Hakutsuru, the deciding factor was out-of-the-box security, including hardware-backed protection like TPM 2.0. Now his teams can work anywhere while protecting trade secrets like brewing data and recipes.

Migrate to Windows 11 in the cloud with Windows 365

As you work on modernizing your endpoint estate, you can move workers with Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11 in the cloud with Windows 365. That way your employees will always be updated with the latest Windows 11 and the latest security protection available.

Windows 365 subscriptions will include Extended Security Updates (ESUs) at no additional cost for Windows 10 devices that access Windows 365.

You might have scenarios in your organization where you’re looking for options and the flexibility to continue using older Windows 10 PCs longer. Extending the life of Window 10 PCs with Extended Security Updates and Windows 365 becomes a real possibility to support certain worker cohorts and still migrate to Windows 11. You can extend the life of these devices for an additional 3 years.

Windows 365 recently made a new service option generally available for frontline and shift workers. If workers don’t use a dedicated personal computer, but rather use a device that is shared or an older device, they can access Windows 11 using Windows 365. In these scenarios, you can extend the use of older Windows 10 PCs.

Check out how we’re extending Windows to the cloud with Windows 365. Our Windows 365 blog posts provide in-depth information on the latest features, deployment guidance, and best practices.

Extended Security Update program for Windows 10

While we strongly recommend moving to Windows 11, we understand there are circumstances that could prevent you from replacing Windows 10 devices before the EOS date. Therefore, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates.

Like the Windows 7 ESU program, your organization will be able to purchase a yearly subscription to security updates. The yearly commitment is renewable for three years. Devices enrolled in ESUs will receive monthly security updates to keep these Windows 10 PCs secure.

The ESU program for Windows 10 will include critical and/or important security updates. ESUs do not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests. Technical support beyond the ESU itself is also not available.

• For Windows 365 customers, ESUs will be provided for the Windows 10 devices that connect to a Cloud PC running Windows 11 at no additional cost.
• If you run a Windows 10 instance in Azure Virtual Desktop, ESUs will also be available at no additional charge on those virtual machines (consumption not included).

Stay tuned for more ESU program updates as we approach availability, including an ESU program for individual consumers.

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